Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report, 2025 [January, 2025 – December, 2025]

Summary: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the PLFS Annual Report 2025 (January–December 2025). Key findings: (1) Unemployment rate among educated persons (secondary & above, age 15+) fell to 6.5% in 2025 from 7.0% in 2024; (2) Urban female unemployment (age 15+) declined to 6.4% from 6.7%; (3) Proportion of workers in regular wage/salaried employment increased to 23.6% from 22.4% in 2024; (4) LFPR (Labour Force Participation Rate) and WPR (Worker Population Ratio) remained stable; (5) Manufacturing sector's share of workers increased; agriculture's share declined — reflecting structural transformation; (6) Women in self-employment saw growth in nominal wages.

UPSC Relevance: PLFS data is directly tested in Prelims (specific percentages) and is critical for Mains GS3 analysis. Key analytical points: India's employment paradox — GDP growing at 7%+ but formal job creation remains sluggish; the "educated unemployment" problem (6.5%) points to skill-employment mismatch; women's declining labour force participation (compared to global averages) despite schemes like Skill India; the agriculture-to-manufacturing shift (structural transformation) is proceeding but slowly. UPSC 2022 asked specifically about gig economy and informal employment. Prelims Facts: PLFS 2025: Educated unemployment: 6.5% (2025) vs 7.0% (2024); Urban female unemployment: 6.4% vs 6.7%; Regular wage employment: 23.6% vs 22.4%; Published by: MoSPI.